Founder and leader of Barrio 18 gang dies in El Salvador
Carlos Mojica, the founder and leader of the Barrio 18 gang, has died in El Salvador due to liver complications. He had been incarcerated since 2003 for his role in orchestrating numerous violent crimes. His leadership was marked by a significant truce with rival gang MS-13, which notably reduced the homicide rate in the country.
- ▪Carlos Mojica, known as 'El Viejo Lin', died from liver complications.
- ▪He was in a maximum-security prison since 2003 after being convicted of ordering murders.
- ▪Mojica was instrumental in a 2012 truce between Barrio 18 and MS-13 that reduced the homicide rate in El Salvador.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Founder and leader of Barrio 18 gang dies in El SalvadorSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxPublished May 22, 2026, 04:09 AMUpdated May 22, 2026, 04:09 AMSAN SALVADOR, May 21 - Carlos Mojica, a founder and longtime leader of the violent Central American gang Barrio 18, has died in El Salvador from liver complications, the government announced on Thursday.Known as "El Viejo Lin," or Old Man Lin, Mojica had been in a maximum-security prison since 2003. He was convicted of ordering dozens of murders and faced accusations of other crimes.He was deported to El Salvador in the 1990s from the United States, where he was part of emerging gang cells that were beginning to identify themselves as Barrio 18.According to authorities, Mojica continued to lead the gang and order…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at Straits Times — World.